Thirty Day Weight Loss Challenge Abs and Core

Guest Author - Patricia Mitchell

Ready to lose weight, strengthen your core and tone your abdominals? This is an easy but effective thirty day challenge to incorporate into your current routine. You will work your core and target the abdominals with specific exercises that can be done at home with no equipment required. These exercises will increase in intensity from week to week, resulting in increased core and abdominal strength. In addition to exercise, changes to your eating habits are imperative if you want to lose some pounds and see definition in your abdominals.

In this challenge, simply eat your carbohydrates earlier in the day when you need them for work and exercise, then reduce your carbohydrates and calories in your evening meal. Your evening meal will consist of 4-6 ounces of lean protein, two cups of green vegetables and a spinach salad. Incorporate a nutrient dense smoothie for either breakfast or snack each day. Try to eliminate sugar, alcohol, bread and processed foods for optimum results and make water your drink of choice.

Prepare for success by planning and shopping for your groceries at the beginning of the week. Write down your menu prior to going to the grocery store so that you already have healthy choices in mind for your daily meals. Make a grocery list for smoothie ingredients, lean protein for the week, and plenty of green vegetables.

Abdominal and core exercises- These exercises only take five minutes a day. You can do them two times a day if you want to see quicker results. If you are a beginner, modify the plank exercises on your knees. Use the following guidelines as a goal, but take breaks when needed.